FORT LEWIS, WA (June 27, 2006) – Outside the gates of Fort Lewis, Washington today, hundreds rallied to support U.S. Army Lt. Ehren Watada – the first commissioned officer to resist the illegal war and occupation of Iraq.

Supporters lined the Interstate 5 overpasses at the fort gate’s, leafleted the cars of soldiers entering the post, and held a rally at Exit 119. Two hundred people huddled around a megaphone under “Thank You Lt. Ehren Watada” banners to hear from Lt. Watada’s mother Carolyn, father Robert, and step-mother Rosa who all came from Hawaii to show their support. Other speakers included military family members, veterans, and local students who recently led the ten-day community blockage of departing Stryker urban combat vehicles shipping out to Iraq.

On June 22, Lt. Watada, attached to this same Stryker Brigade, fulfilled his pledge to resist by refusing to board an airplane bound for Iraq. Lt. Watada has given up his career and now faces a prison sentence for doing “the right thing” in the face of an illegal and immoral war and occupation. What will we now do to do the same?